Boat Reviews/Brochures

A fast cruiser from north of the border... In the United States we don’t think about Canada much. Rather than recognize that Canadians have a valid national identity, we see them as just like us but with quirks—curious references to the metric system, clipped speech peppered with “eh,” and that impulse to plaster themselves with maple leaves every time they wander more than a mile from home. I, for one, was so dismissive of Canada that I was in my early 20s by the time I learned—from a Torontonian—that Canadians find people from the United States arrogant. I countered by loosely quoting the Montreal novelist Mordecai Richler: “Canada is not a country, it’s the next-door place.” She wasn’t amused.

Coca-Cola overseas doesn't taste like it does stateside. Valparaiso, Port Au Prince, Bangkok... the "Real Thing" from another country is real... but it's also often slightly, intriguingly different. I was reminded of this phenomenon while testing an Australian-built sportfisherman recently- Riviera Marine's 36 Flybridge Convertible. Certainly, the pretty little battlewagon, with two staterooms, one head, and expansive flying bridge and a decent-sized cockpit (approximately 10' by 7'), looked a lot like an American sportfishing machine, especially an angular, traditionally styled 80's model. But there were some differences- the boat was extra rough-and-ready, two-fisted, down-underly, if you will. For example, the flying bridge had lots more stainless-steel rails than a stateside sled. And the tempered-glass windshield was seemingly wrist-thick and molded into a beefy fiberglass receiver. Tough stuff.

A bold, beamy, indigo Moody heads for blue water... Economic upheaval struck deep into the British boatbuilding industry at the end of the 1980s, and when the tide of woe receded, it left the landscape changed. Moody survived, but needed to rethink its position. Once Camper & Nicholsons stepped out of the production-boat market, there was a gap to fill, and it looks as though Moody has had its eyes on it. That much is evident in the feel of the Moody 46: in the bulwark, in the coachroof styling details, and, although the style is more modern, in the quality and atmosphere of the interior joinerwork. In all respects, the Moody 46 takes on the challenge of the bluewater cruiser and meets it ably in most areas.

Buddy Davis was a young charter captain some 25 years ago when he started working in the off season alongside local builders on North Carolina's treacherous Outer Banks. He already knew that any vessel going to sea in these deadly waters must contend with vicious rips and currents, plough through chaotic walls of water that sometimes tumble into the Carolina inlets, and be built to stay high, dry and sturdy if paying guests were to come back as repeat customers.

Already 62 miles from his home pore of Oregon Inlet on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, and with the day half gone, Capt. Murphy Creef was prepared to burn even more fuel and run even farther if that's what it took to ensure a good catch of fish for a paying charter. "Pick 'em up, L.R.," Creef called to his mate from the flying bridge of the shiny new 52-foot Davis Boatworks built charter boat Dare Devil. "Bobby Sullivan's got the main group located about 15 miles farther offshore."

A joy ride on an amenity-rich 65-foot cruiser with the soul of a sea-stomping battlewagon. There were four of us playing poker that night, sprawled around the dinette table of Ocean Yachts’ new four-stateroom three-head cruiser, the 65 Odyssey. In response to a question about making flight connections the following day, Ocean’s company captain Gene Hawn made a rather stunning pronouncement. “She’ll do twenty-five knots goin’ back to Lauderdale in the mornin’,” he said, “Maybe twenty-six. Be a quick trip.”

In the past few years there has been a slew of new American-built cruisers sporting the sleek, flowing lines that we call Euro-styling. Builders of small to large craft have gone the Euro-style route, and now Cruisers, an icon of mid-American boat-building has come out with their long-heralded 50-footer, the 5000 Sedan Sport, which appears to have flowed off the designer’s table—Euro-styled.

Tony Fleming has been a boat builder for over four decades, so he is well aware of the fact that a yacht purchase requires a huge leap of faith for the buyer. That’s why, as a meticulous engineer, he spends countless hours tweaking the boats he builds at the Tung Hwa Shipyard in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. He’s even been known to tear out and rebuild an entire staircase three times before being satisfied. “We established high standards when we built our first 55’ Fleming 16 years ago,” he says. “And throughout the years the people at Tung Hwa have been very accommodating."

— By Capt. Stuart Reininger — A Gift Worth Giving - Bertram gives itself, and us, a big present. I don’t wax nostalgic, especially when it comes to boats. Since I’ve been messing around in ‘em, I’ve watched them become better built, safer, easier to handle, and yes, more affordable. I think ahead, not of the past. Well, usually. I can’t look at a Bertram tearing out of an inlet without remembering the sight of the original 31-foot Moppie, which blasted out of Government Cut to win the 1960 Miami to Nassau race. Crewing aboard an ancient Huckins being delivered to Miami, I was close enough to history to see the rooster tails on the horizon. So I have a connection. And every Bertram that’s been built since Richard Bertram parlayed that win into a company that made his name synonymous with quality has a connection with Moppie.

Last March the opportunity arose to leave the chill of Michigan and meet up with Kevin Falvey from Boating for a fish trip aboard the new Tiara 4200 Open. Meeting at Allied Richard Bertram/Ft. Lauderdale, we joined Ben Smith (local fish finder) and Capt. Chris Scrimger, on a beautiful south Florida morning. Ben suggested that we set off to Miami, where the concentration of baitfish had been greater than off Lauderdale. Running with a set of 700 HP CAT C-12’s at 2100 RPM gave an efficient 32-knot cruise for the quick trip down to Miami. Kevin and I had a chance to talk about the lineage of the 4200, and why it didn’t look like a typical sport fishing machine. I noted that the sloping sheer line, fiberglass windshield, and reverse transom of the 4200 were characteristic of the Tiara Open Series. The 42 also took attributes from the 4100 and 4300 to create the perfect platform for cruising or fishing.

I love crawling around in bilges and engine rooms. I've found them exciting-even mystical-ever since I discovered an antique goop-encrusted Sears screwdriver in the lowest reaches of dear old Dad's 31' Trojan. Many years and bilge-archeology projects later, I still keep my fingers crossed whenever I creep belowdecks. So stepping under the helm of the Cabo 31', raised via hydraulic rams, I felt like Indiana Jones on the verge of a great discovery.

There are plenty of great boats to like out there. But when you start talking love, over the period of a lifetime there are very few. The new Cabo 35 Express captured my heart without even breaking a sweat. In close quarters, the boat stays where you put it, turns when you tell it, and incremental adjustments measured by the inch. The twin 3208TA Caterpillar diesels churning out 35 horse-power each gets the 35 going quickly. The effect is much like watching the star ship enterprise engage warp drives. Put the throttles to the wall from a stop and the Cabo moves forward mildly while you listen to the diesels " wind up." No sooner do the turbos kick in than the Cabo is on plane. You almost expect a flash of light.

It's one of those situations that harried businessmen daydream about. First, you're in the sailboat business, which means that you get to wear Hawaiian shirts, live in a temperate climate, and fool around with boats all over the world. Then your boatbuilding company is picked by Fortune magazine as one of the 100 best manufacturers in America, and in 1988, a conglomerate comes along with a suitcase full of cash and offers to buy you. So there you are: happily out of the business and without a care in the world.

It was mid June and we were 1-2 mile off Wrightsville Beach. The winds were blowing a friendly 15-20 knots and the seas were 3-4 with white caps on most of the waves. Pete Horst was leaning his left arm on the port side of the windshield while sitting in the optional forward facing companion seat. Pete's friend, Joe McLeod, was along for the ride and telling funny story after funny story. Joe has a CABO and my guess is that Pete was as much interested in his opinion as mine. However, my current mission was to see if I could get Pete's arm wet or at least some water in the cockpit!

Every Fisherman reader has their version of the ultimate dreamboat, you know, the one that you would pick up in the event that someone in your immediate family' hit the Lottery or had some dot com stock magically multiply itself by 100 fold overnight. Cabo's recently updated 35 Express Sportfisher has been the subject of my dreams and hallucinations on more than one occasion and someday, if the planets are in proper alignment, “I'll get me one”. Let me tell you why.

Two hours into the fight, you finally see the glow stick zinging back and forth below the boat. The silhouette of a bigeye tuna-certainly more than 100 pounds and maybe your biggest ever-comes into view. Another 20 minutes playing tug of war, and the fish is within gaffing range. Your buddy gets ready to strike and you're wondering how the heck you're going to help him outmuscle the Herculean psychotic squid-killer when, after this epic battle, you can barely turn the crank on a 50 International. You wish you had a boat with coffin-size fishboxes in the deck, so you could just drag the fish through the transom door and slide it into the ice pack. Damn, why didn't you buy the CABO 48 Sportfish?

BY LENNY RUDOWPhotographs BY Forrest Johnson ADD TOGETHER ONE DEADRISE CHANGE, TWO STRAKE eliminations, one keel addition and one keel sub traction, two chine widenings, and a three inch hull deepening. Mix in three dozen sea trials, add a dash of tank tests with a five foot scale model. Bake for one year. The end result? Cabo's new 47 Convertible is so hot, you'll need oven mitts to handle it.

In the world of production sportfishers, there are many legendary builders, but one stands apart from the crowd - both literally and figuratively. Offering express and convertible models from 31 to 47 feet, Cabo Yachts has developed an enviable reputation for quality and performance. Its boats are so well engineered that they often are used as benchmarks for comparison. Cabo breaks the mold in other areas, too. The company builds its boats in the Southwest, not the East - and in the Mojave Desert , not on the coast. Recently, we enjoyed the opportunity to sea trial a 2001 model 47 Flybridge Sportfisher that the company claims is the most tricked-out Cabo ever built.

Cabo's 47 foot convertible embodies the builder's philosophy... Only the best materials, design and construction When Henry Mohrschladt and Michael Howarth sold Pacific Seacraft, they were not ready to stop building boats. Those who now them, might say they couldn't stop, anyway.. Instead, they turned their talents to building sportfishers. Their reputation for building quality boats, earned at Pacific Seacraft, was continued in this new direction. And that, too, was no surprise. This concern with quality is not just a marketing ploy. It's a business philosophy that results in only the best materials, design and construction being employed.

New Generation Of Mainship Begins With The 400 WHEN I GO TO A BOAT SHOW THESE DAYS THE ASSORTMENT OF CRUISING BOAT choices is staggering. From heavy displacement battlewagons to speedy custom cruisers, the options are endless. Most of the offerings come from smaller yards that produce a couple of yachts a year. Even the revered names in the business create boats one at a time, with annual production numbers that often seriously lag behind customer demand. For the majority of people interested in cruising motorboats, the cost of entry into the trawler lifestyle represents a significant financial investment, and one that requires planning and managed priorities. Despite the gleaming brightwork on custom and high-end yachts that draw crowds and bring smiles, having the boat of one’s dreams is ultimately less important than simply having a good boat. It is foolish pleasure indeed to hold off boating enjoyment because one hasn’t quite got the budget for the ultimate.

Robert Perry designed the LaFitte44 and LaFitte66 as his "Ultimate Sailing Yachts" of their size categories. With grace, beauty, speed, seakindliness, and simplicity to suit the demanding seaman within us, and find-crafted luxurious accommodations to suit our aesthetic souls as well. What is the philosophy of the Lafitte44 and LaFitte66? Today, there are many excellent production and custom yachts being built throughout the world. Unfortunately, though, production builders must sometimes skimp on quality in one aspect or another of engineering, construction, accessories, or equipment in order to keep prices within affordable limits.

At last we have had the opportunity to visit some yards in the Far East, one of them the LaFitte facility leased from the Chung Hwa yard in Kaohsiung, southern Taiwan, Republic of China (R.O.C.). Before going into a detailed description of the Lafitte 44 it seems appropriate to set down some of our opinions and observations concerning the quality of Taiwanese boat building, since an earlier article on Taiwan in Nautical Quarterly 10 is now somewhat dated. The LaFitte 44 is an excellent vehicle for these remarks, since it represents the exact opposite of what many yachtsmen associate with Far East construction

By The Cruising Helmsman Caroline Strainig Multihull fans will find much to like about the new Moorings 4000 – and it might even just convert a few monohull devotees too, writes Caroline Strainig. Okay, so I own a monohull, but occasionally, just occasionally, I can be tempted to stray, and I admit that this straying is becoming increasingly common. I’ve now gone from a “no way” to a “maybe” in terms of crossing over when retirement and some more serious cruising are in the offing. Much as devout monohullers hate to admit it, multihulls do have a lot going for them. Their shallow draft enables you to anchor close in, which gives you more protection from the elements and makes it easier to explore. Then there’s the benefit of being able to sail relatively flat. It’s wonderful to make lunch, have a drink or go to the loo without having to hang on like grim death. That’s not to say these boats don’t rock and roll – when seas get up a bit they do pitch and can slam – but the heeling feeling is absent and life is definitely a more upright affair.

Leopards can't change their spots, but that's no bad thing since this new Leopard 40 Catamaran offers space, speed and safety says Paul Jeffes. Multihulls are one of the fastest-growing segments of the marine market. Visit any exotic charter location, from the Caribbean to the Seychelles, and you'll find a wide choice of cruising catamarans. Why so popular? They offer incredible living space for families. Two couples sailing together can have the privacy of a hull each, with their own shower and heads.

Dag Pike believes that, with its raised pilothouse, the Monte Fino 82 Skylounge will have a worldwide appeal. Italian-looking and built in the Far East, the Monte Fino 82 Cockpit Motoryacht is actually aimed at the American Market, with particular emphasis on easy maintenance. Chris Caswell Reports. Whether you are designing a mousetrap or a yacht, there is no trick to creating a look-alike of an already existing style. The real genius, of course, is to do it better, which is exactly the case with the Monte Fino 82 Cockpit Motoryacht. Italian styling is a phrase so over-used that it has become as passé as "Euro-styling" but, in this case, the yacht seen here is ineffably italian. With melted edges and a steeply raked windshield and bridge, it fairly shouts "Ciao" to the competition.

‘Rotto’ is the local slang term for the island, a picturesque reef nine nautical miles off Fremantle, near Perth Western Australia. It’s been a Mecca for boat owners for many years, with skippers heading out on weekends to moor in the over than 20 reef-bound bays found around the island’s shores. In fact, Ken Sims, of Western Australian Riviera dealer Beacon Marine, says that on fine weekends the bays ‘fairly bristle’ with boats of all sizes, ranging from trailer boats to fifty-footers.

For Tasmanian-based Riviera skippers Ron O’Connor (Riviera 43’ ‘Royale II’) and Greg Plunkett (Riviera 36’ ‘The Specialist’) the St. Helens Gamefishing tournament staged over the last weekend of February will remain memorable for different reasons. Ron O’Connor and his crew will recall the marlin they lost; Greg Plunkett and his team will forever remember the tough fight they were given by a 56kg (124lbs) Mako.

Reprinted from POWERBOAT REPORTS APRIL 1992... By Belvoir Publications. It would be interesting to give two boat builders a blank sheet of paper and ask them each to come up with the "ideal" convertible sportfisherman in the low-to-mid 30-foot range. For this hypothetical exercise, the requirements would be permanent berths for two, a galley and head suitable for overnighting, a big cockpit, and a gas-engine price tag under 200 grand.

An innovative express design loaded with fishing features and high-tech engineering. There are lots of express boats on today's market that offer large cockpits, along with helm stations set on raised bridge decks that make it easy to fish with only two people aboard. Cabo's new 35 Sportfisher is also an express design, but it stands apart from the crowd, much as their popular 35 convertible did when it was introduced a few years ago.

While the 411 Sedan has the appearance and manageability of a true sedan bridge, this sleek, responsive yacht is much more. Within her stylish lines lie spacious master and guest staterooms, each with island berths, innerspring pillowtop mattresses and extensive storage space. In addition, her dedicated dinette converts to a comfortable double bed, her galley contains all the features for gourmet food preparation under way, and her impressive, wide-open salon incorporates comfortable seating and a well-appointed entertainment center.

The 459 Cockpit Motoryacht’s innovative design allows her owners to fully enjoy life on the water. This attractive yacht’s highlight is her full-beam master suite, which boasts private access to the cockpit through large sliding glass doors as well as separate en-suite head and shower compartments. The impressive guest accommodations, located forward, also incorporate private head facilities. With fresh breezes and plenty of natural light through large salon windows, the 459’s welcoming interior is well-suited for live-aboard cruising, while the large bridge and aft decks – now available with Flexiteek decking – extend the yacht’s living spaces for the big cruise as well as for al fresco entertaining in style. Now, that’s cruising with flair!

The Hunter 44 is offered in two distinct configurations - an aft cockpit cruiser and a raised deck salon. Each model has the space and accomodations usually found only in much larger boats along with the type of performance typically associated with class racing. Noted Hunter designer, Glenn Henderson, took his sportboat heritage and combined it with the Hunter interior designers to provide a truly versatile cruising boat. This hull has a special "bow hollow" just aft of the stem, which provides a longer waterline to increase speed.The aft underbody features a "stern reflex" giving a flatter edit, adding stability and decreasing the wake and turbulence - all providing better performance. Your choice of fin or shoal keel can match your sailing location and performance needs.

You've never seen a line of cruisers quite like our new 2004 Chaparral Signature Series. From our flagship 350 to the value-minded 240, our 2004 fleet is sure to include a cruiser that's custom designed to your exact needs. Shopping for a cruiser but confused in a sea of claims and counterclaims? We can help. Get out your checklist and compare feature for feature. We not only invite the scrutiny, we welcome it. At first glance you'll notice a difference in style, workmanship and appointments. The Chaparral Advantage will be crystal clear. When you get to the bottomline, it's important to remember that our Signature cruisers are often equipped with standard equipment that rivals only offer as costly upgrades.

The 45’s classic Formula design lines emanate an overall grace and beauty that immediately attracts attention and admiration. Well beyond state of the art, the very best materials and components are assembled with expert craftsmanship to produce this distinctively fine yacht. Measuring 48´ 2 ˝ overall with a 13´ 11˝ beam, the 45 Yacht design is equally suited to day cruising with family and friends, enjoying several days on the water or extended cruising. The coupe-top design effectively protects the forward cockpit from extreme weather conditions, yet affords ample ventilation through the expansive motorized sunroof. Fresh air also enters through the center walk-thru door and adjustable side vents. The tinted, totally integrated curved windshield reveals a panoramic vista in the absence of forward bracing, an unprecedented feature in this yacht class. (Formula Boats)

After a full day of cruising, you and your family will undoubtedly appreciate the exceptionally well-appointed environment of the 460 Voyager. Here, you'll find the kind of amenities you would expect aboard a Carver yacht: comfort, abundant space, and the level of quality craftsmanship that typifies their luxurious interiors. The 460 Voyager GS Incorporates an incredibly spacious Grand Salon.

You know the car commercial where they roll a marble in between the crease of the hood and fender? Big deal. If the car was really cool, the marble would roll up the hood. Good thing for car makers that Cat Harbor Boats, builders of the Cabo 35 Express, isn't in the automobile business. These guys could make that marble stay in the groove, roll uphill over the windshield and back down the trunk crease doing 30 knots.

Before your Acme Glitzcraft was trucked to the showroom floor, did the builders run the boat with the steering disconnected? Did they add and remove running strakes? Or change chine angles? Get real-the majority of builders don't bother. Instead, they mass produce a new model for a year or two, then tweak the hull and systems as they catch flack from customers. "Feedback;' they call it. But you and I know better.

By Reg Bragonier The new Cabo 35 from California is bullet proof, nimble and roomy. Ed Rice looked up at his sleek new sportfisherman, sitting on the rocks at Point Loma. The props and shafts had been torn off the night before when he'd run the boat aground in the fog at ten knots. "But the hull was practically unmarred," says Rice, an avid 56-year-old San Diego fisherman. "The scratches didn't even go through the gelcoat." So awed was he by the vessel's strength and finish that he phoned the manufacturer to suggest that a photographer be assigned to document the lack of hull damage.

The builders of the Cabo 35 offer a smaller version with a smoother ride. One of the many things you can say about the Cabo 31 Express is that it is not a boat for everyone. At a base price of about $210,000 quickly ascending to $300,000 for a dressed-out boat, we're in heady territory shopped by those who'd also (if only they could) be making hull-to-hull comparisons with Blackfin and Bertram.